Challenges Faced by the 21st Century Tween

The two documentaries I viewed this week, “Sext up Kids” and “The Sextortion of Amanda Todd,” were eye-opening and reaffirming to me how difficult it is to be a tween or teen in today’s society. Both girls and boys of this age range are constantly bombarded with images and messages that present a distorted view of what being a girl or boy should look like.

So who is to blame for the direction our society has taken? There are restrictions available on T.V. to filter and screen the content your child is exposed to, but the internet creates a new medium where even proper filtering will at some point lead your child with access to images and videos with the potential of creating these distorted perspectives. Since most teenagers also have access to smartphones, they too have the ability to create sexualized content themselves. The consequences of hypersexualization are debatable, but many studies have found effects ranging from decreased cognitive functioning to physical and mental health concerns. I found the Amanda Todd video especially tragic in the respect that, like many teenage girls, she was simply looking for attention and affirmation of her self-worth. In this sense, social media sites can make teens or tween feel good about themselves and popular. On the other hand, one mistake can cause you to question your entire self-concept.

Commercial marketing plays a role in influencing our purchasing decisions which indirectly influence the messages our children experience from early on. If you look at any large department store, toys for children aged 2 and up are divided into aisles. There is a pink isle and a truck isle.

Consumers make the ultimate decision; however you are indirectly guided towards specific aisles based on the sex of the child you are making the purchase for. Even the idea that there are bikinis for toddlers makes me cringe a little. Yes the toddler has no concept of sexualisation, but the parent making that decision for the child does have control. Similarly, the “Sext up Kids” documentary shows a French lingerie line for tweens that truly makes me sad. These little girls are photographed and put on display in ways that makes me question why the company would even want to send this message of objectification. I personally think this is where the power of social media should create active citizens who voice concerns over this type of marketing.

By Google (Google) [Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsParents are going to be the ultimate voice for their children. Parents can advocate on behalf of their children and can monitor their children. All the filters in the world will never fully protect children. Instead, we need to help them create a positive self-image and develop coping skills for dealing with adversity. My children are toddlers, so I am unable to predict how I will parent as they become teenagers. At this point it seems easy to claim that I wouldn’t allow a webcam or smartphone until they reach an acceptable age. What I would hope is that I am able to stay current with the technology they are using and to continue communicating with my children as they become teenagers. I do not think that we can always rely on research to tell us how our children will react or respond when bombarded with these types of messages. Research may take a while to catch up to technology. Instead, we must rely on common sense and our parenting instincts to know when our children are struggling.

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One thought on “Challenges Faced by the 21st Century Tween”

I also have big ideas for how I think I will monitor my kids computer and phone use, but I often feel like it’s easy to say that now. I can’t say for sure how I will really act when they do get to the age when they use technology more. Right now my husband and I say things like no laptops, any computer use must be out in the open where we can keep an eye on what they are doing, no cell phones when they go to bed, no cell phones until high school…the list goes on and on. I agree that it is really important to try stay on top of technology and communicate with our kids. My nephew had his iPod at my house the other day and I said oh and iPod…now I can iMessage you. He looks at his mom and was like ya but first I need an email. And then I thought oh no…what did I do? He’s too young to get an email and to use iMessage haha. He’s going to be 10. When they left my house I thought to myself that maybe I should have a conversation with him or his mom about technology and digital citizenship so I feel more comfortable with him getting an email and using iMessage. It’s a little nerve wrecking thinking about him getting to the age where communication relies heavily on a device especially when we have been talking about cyber bullying and sexting. The joys of parenting (and ‘aunty-ing’) haha.